Nursing Education & Leadership

The Master’s of Science (MS) in Nursing Education & Leadership is designed for post-baccalaureate nurses and advanced practice nurses to expand their knowledge and expertise in nursing education, best practices and innovation in teaching and learning, and leadership development. A total of 36 credits is required for this program. Part-time and full-time study options are available. The prospective and current graduate students in this program will receive academic and student services support from the School’s Office of Student Services (OSS) and as students’ progress through the program of study, they will be additionally advised by the Program Director for academic advising.

This program is distance-based with a hybrid format. Most of the courses are offered online except for three, lab, fieldwork, and practicum courses. Accommodations will be made for graduate nursing students on the neighbor islands for these experiences. Courses offered include research and evidenced-based practice, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and physical assessment. Students will begin to take nursing education and leadership courses beginning in the first year to develop foundational skills and knowledge in these areas. In the final two semesters, students will be immersed in real-world teaching and learning opportunities in didactic, lab, fieldwork, and practicum experiences with a master teacher. These experiences bridge role change and development from novice to expert in the discipline of nursing education and leadership development.

Fast Facts

• Two-step application process
• Fall (August) Admission only
• Asynchronous, online format for lecture courses
• Three in-person courses (lab, fieldwork and practicum)
• The 36-credit program is designed to be completed in two years as a full-time student or in three years as a part-time student.
• A thesis option (Plan A): 9 additional credits is offered.
• Students complete a capstone practicum project in the final year.

Curriculum

The MS in Nursing Education & Leadership is a 36-credit curriculum. The student may select the thesis option and enroll in an additional 9 credits. Below are sample full-time and part-time courses of study. Current students consult with the Program Director of the MS in Nursing Education & Leadership Program  to develop an individualized program of study.

Sample Full-Time Course of Study

Year 1 18 Credits
Fall 9 credits	NURS 620 Nursing Research and Theory & EBP (3) NURS 613 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice (3) NURS 629 Pharmacology for Nurses in Advanced Practice (3)
Spring 9 credits	NURS 662 Leadership, Role, Identity, & Organizational System Change – Seminar Course (3) NURS 612 Advanced Assessment & Clinical Reasoning (2) NURS 612L Advanced Assessment & Clinical Reasoning Lab (1) NURS 747 Curriculum Development & Assessment Strategies in Nursing Education (3)
Year 2 18 Credits
Fall 9 credits	NURS 740 Health Policy & Economics (3) NURS 749 Curriculum Evaluation & Accreditation in Nursing Education (3) NURS 732 Best Practice & Innovation in Teaching & Learning in Nursing Education (3)
Spring 9 credits	NURS 735 Effective Program Evaluation for QI (3) NURS 748 Nursing Education & Leadership Capstone Practicum (6)

Total Number of Credits: 36 credits

Curriculum effective for students entering: Fall 2023

Current students consult with the Nursing Education & Leadership Program Director for their individualized program of study.

Approved by committee: DON MCPD Committee on 2-28-22; 4-29-22; DON DNP CPD Committee 5-6-22

Page updated: August 31, 2022

Sample Part-Time Course of Study

Year 1 12 Credits
Fall 6 credits	NURS 620 Nursing Research & Theory & EBP (3) NURS 613 Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice (3)
Spring 6 credits	NURS 612 Advanced Assessment & Clinical Reasoning (2) NURS 612L Advanced Assessment & Clinical Reasoning Lab (1) NURS 747 Curriculum Development & Assessment Strategies in Nursing Education (3)
Year 2 12 Credits
Fall 6 credits	NURS 749 Curriculum Evaluation & Accreditation in Nursing Education (3) NURS 629 Pharmacology for Nurses in Advanced Practice (3)
Spring 6 credits	NURS 662 Leadership, Role Identity, & Organizational/System Change – Seminar Course (3) NURS 735 Effective Program Evaluation for QI (3)
Year 3 12 Credits
Fall 6 credits	NURS 740 Health Policy & Economics (3) NURS 732 Best Practices & Innovation in Teaching & Learning in Nursing Education (3)
Spring 6 credits	NURS 748 Nursing Education & Leadership Capstone Practicum (6)

Total Number of Credits: 36 credits

Curriculum effective for students entering: Fall 2023

Current students consult with the Nursing Education and Leadership Program Director for their individualized program of study.

Approved by committee: DON MCPD Committee on 2-28-22; 4-29-22; DON DNP CPD Committee 5-6-22

Page updated: August 31, 2022

 

Thesis Option (Plan A): 9 Additional Credits

Thesis Option
Variable	NURS 692 Methods for Nursing Research (3) NURS 700 Thesis (6)

Total Number of Credits with Thesis Option: 45 credits

Curriculum effective for students entering: Fall 2023

Current students consult with the Nursing Education and Leadership Program Director for their individualized program of study.

Approved by committee: DON MCPD Committee on 2-28-22; 4-29-22; DON DNP CPD Committee 5-6-22

Page updated: August 31, 2022

How to Apply

Fall (August) 2023 Applications Available: September 1, 2022

Deadline: May 1, 2023

Application Information

The Master’s Program uses a rolling admissions process. Applicants must submit fully completed applications containing all requirements for both the UHM Graduate Division and the DON to be reviewed for admission to the program. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed and cannot be re-submitted. Applicants can apply only once per annual admission cycle. Applicants must meet the requirements of both the UH Manoa Graduate Division and the DON for admission to the program.

Each applicant is evaluated on the merit of their individual application and placed into one of three categories: admit, alternate or deny. Notifications about decisions occur following review of the completed application by the admissions team.

We encourage applicants to apply beginning September 1 both in the NursingCAS system and the UHM Graduate Division. Please check NursingCAS and the UHM Graduate Division for a full listing of application requirements.

Two-Step Application Process

Application Requirements are found on the websites listed below.

Step 1 – Apply to UH Manoa Graduate Division

• https://manoa.hawaii.edu/graduate/how-to-apply/
• Fee: $100
• Select “MS in Nursing” as the planned course of study

Step 2 – Apply to Nursing’s Centralized Application Service

Application deadlines for NCAS are set to Eastern Standard Time (EST) and will close at midnight EST the date of the deadline.

• http://www.nursingcas.org
• Fee: $75 (fee increase effective August 11, 2022)
• Select “MS Nursing Education & Leadership” for the planned course of study

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Admission Requirements for RNs with a Bachelor of Science in nursing

Education

Baccalaureate degree in nursing from an accredited college or university earned by July 15 of the program start year.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Undergraduate GPA 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Licensure

Current unrestricted RN license in the United States or evidence of passing the NCLEX-RN exam and have a current RN license in the state or jurisdiction of practice by the end of the first semester of the program.

Research Course Completion

Successful completion of an undergraduate research course or equivalent within 7 years of beginning classes in the MS program. Applicants who have not completed an undergraduate research course within 7 years of beginning classes in the program may still be admitted, but must complete the undergraduate research course by the end of the first semester of the program.

English Language Proficiency

If an applicant’s native language is not English or has not obtained a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an English speaking college, then the applicant must submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores with a minimum score of 600/100 (paper/internet) and subtest scores of 25 for listening and 25 for speaking or Grad International English Language Testing System (IELTS) minimum score of 7.00.

International Students

Please visit the UH Manoa Office of International Student Services page, email them at issmanoa@hawaii.edu, or call them at (808) 956-8613.

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Admission Requirements for RNs with an Associate Degree in Nursing and a Bachelor degree or higher in another field

Education

Completion of a Diploma or Associate Degree in Nursing Program and a non-nursing baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited college or university earned by July 15 of the program start year.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Undergraduate GPA 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Licensure

Current unrestricted RN license in the United States or evidence of passing the NCLEX-RN exam and have a current RN license in the state or jurisdiction of practice by the end of the first semester of the program.

Research Course Completion

Successful completion of an undergraduate research course or equivalent within 7 years of beginning classes in the MS program. Applicants who have not completed an undergraduate research course within 7 years of beginning classes in the program may still be admitted, but must complete the undergraduate research course by the end of the first semester of the program.

RN to MS Requirement

Applicants with a non-nursing baccalaureate should have evidence of baccalaureate level knowledge in research; , public, and global health; and an integrative clinical practicum and leadership development within the last seven years. Competency in each of these areas may have been obtained through course work, professional programs, and/or professional or life experience.

The admitted student can petition to waive coursework by submitting an experiential portfolio to demonstrate either coursework or experience in the required areas. Samples of evidence include: resume, transcripts for previous college coursework; course syllabi which outline course descriptions and learning objectives; professional training programs coursework that includes learning objectives. Guidelines for the experiential portfolio are available from the Nursing Office of Student Services.

English Language Proficiency

If an applicant’s native language is not English or has not obtained a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an English speaking college, then the applicant must submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores with a minimum score of 600/100 (paper/internet) and subtest scores of 25 for listening and 25 for speaking or Grad International English Language Testing System (IELTS) minimum score of 7.00.

International Students

Please visit the UH Manoa Office of International Student Services page, email them at issmanoa@hawaii.edu, or call them at (808) 956-8613.

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